GOMA, Congo (AP) 鈥 The Rwanda-backed rebels who captured a major city in eastern Congo sought to reassure its residents on Thursday, holding a rally at the city stadium and promising safety and stability in Goma under the their administration.
The demonstration was part of the even though it faces growing international pressure.
Goma, which the rebels captured last week with the support of troops from neighboring Rwanda, has been 鈥渓iberated and sanitized鈥 and different administrative heads have been appointed, Corneille Nangaa, the M23's political leader, told thousands gathered at the stadium.
鈥淚 ask you to sleep well because we bring you security; this is our priority,鈥 Nangaa said. 鈥淪tarting next week, the children return to school. Let all state agents return to their offices. The displaced people are returning to their homes.鈥
The rebels are backed by some 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts. They are the most potent of the more than , which holds vast deposits critical to much of the world鈥檚 technology.
Unlike in 2012, when the rebels first captured Goma but held it for only a short time, analysts say the M23 is now .
Though they declared a unilateral ceasefire after capturing Goma as Congolese troops melted away and claimed they had stopped grabbing more land, the rebels on Wednesday that holds resources critical to much of the world鈥檚 technology.
Congo鈥檚 government has dismissed the ceasefire as 鈥渇alse communication,鈥 and the United Nations has noted reports of heavy fighting with Congolese forces in other parts of the country's east.
The U.N. and aid groups have expressed concern about the safety of the displaced people in Goma. Before it was captured by the rebels, the city was a critical humanitarian hub that hosted many of the more than 6 million people displaced by conflict in the region.
One of those at the rally Thursday, Emmanuel Kakule, a Goma resident, said he is still worried about the situation in Goma.
鈥淚 came to listen to their project," the 26-year-old said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if I鈥檓 convinced. ... We鈥檙e still afraid.鈥
Meanwhile, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera, said that he's asked the commander of his country鈥檚 peacekeepers in eastern Congo to begin preparations for their withdrawal.
Malawian troops are part of a regional peacekeeping force supporting Congolese army in the region. At least 3 Malawian troops and 14 South African soldiers 鈥 also part of the force 鈥 have been killed in the fighting.
Chakwera said on Wednesday that the withdrawal was 鈥渢o honor the declaration of a ceasefire" by the rebels and to pave the way for negotiations and a lasting peace. He did not give a timeframe for the Malawian troops鈥 withdrawal.
